The Day of The Jackal by Frederick Forsyth

There are books in the modern fiction history that have cemented their place as an unforgettable read and Frederick Forsyth’s debut fiction novel “The Day of The Jackal” is right there at the top of the table. Undoubtedly, one of the most entertaining thrillers to come out in the modern- day fiction space, the book also is perfect to guide to write a well- researched and a fast- paced entertaining thriller.

Published in the year 1971, the book was a runaway success due to its tight and detailed narrative.  Since then, the book has had numerous editions. Looking back, almost generations of readers would have read the book and looking at its popularity and the coming generations would also enjoy this classic.

The story and the narrative surrounds around a mysterious and unnamed assassin, known by code name “ The Jackal” who has been given a contract to assassin a high- profile prominent political French figure. What follows is the meticulous and detailing planning by Jackal as he goes about placing each stand of his plan. In between all of this, the police and investigators get a faint hint about a possible assassination plan in progress and the team goes about tracking this assassin step by step leading to a thrilling cat and mouse game.

The book is divided into three sections; First section - Anatomy of a plot. This part concentrates on the initial background of the political events in France and how Jackal is hired for assassination of the target. Based on this, this part further describes in detail Jackal’s planning and preparation for the assignment. One of the most insightful and brilliantly written part in this part is the portion wherein Jackal hires an expert to build him a sniper rifle and supply mercury tipped bullets. The detailing with which the entire assembling of the rifle has been narrated is enthralling. This part will also show case the various other activities that Jackal undertakes for his preparation. These acts are interesting to note and understand and brings in mystery and thrill to the overall storytelling. The events keep on taking place one after another. The reader is waiting to read the next page to know how each of this planning and activities will be used and executed.

The next part in the book; Anatomy of a Manhunt- Based on certain intelligence and interrogation of certain key acquaintances of the rogue group who has hired Jackal, the investigative authorities get a foggy hint about the plan and the assassin and also about the code name “Jackal” but there are no records about this unnamed and unseen suspect. This part all concentrates on the chase of the investigative authorities for Jackal. This portion will have events after events as they try track and get hold of Jackal and a thrilling cat and mouse chase

The final part in the book – Anatomy of a Kill concentrates on the final chase that ultimately leads the investigating officer to Jackal.

The curious and the most interesting part of the book is that even after the finale, the true identity of Jackal not known to anyone. Who was Jackal?

Another interesting aspect to the overall writing style is that, reading the book in the current times does not make the reader feel that the writing is outdated or out of style. In fact, considering that book was written in 1970 and published in 1971, the writing style was way ahead of its time. There’s no denying the fact that the subsequent editions would have adjusted the writing as per the trend of the future years, but still the original writing is not changed in doing so.

It would also be interesting to compare the first edition with the latest one published. This would be an interesting comparison to do. This comparison would give the reader the perfect idea about what has changed in the publishing and reading trend over the years.

The Day of The Jackal is considered one of Forsyth’s best works among all his subsequent novel. Though there is no doubt that Forsyth’s subsequent novels; The Odessa File and The Dogs of the War are equally good and insightful. These books went to the establish the trade mark Forsyth style of narrative. In his memoir, released in 2015, the author narrates about the story behind the debut novel’s idea, acceptance by the publisher and the eventual publishing and post the release of the book how its success had shaken the publishing world during those years.

There is no doubt that it was a different approach to storytelling during those years and was a shift away from other competitors of that time.

What is interesting about the book is that it is not the final outcome that makes the book a wonderful read but the absolute technical details of the assassination plan and the cat and mouse manhunt. Readers would of course know that since the base of the story is a planned assassination, the concentration would be more on the plan and the manhunt rather than on the assassination.

 What makes this book one of the most thrilling entertainers of the modern- day fiction world is the detailed research on the topic. The entire story on the French political scenario and the various organizations involved make this almost at par like a historical fiction.

The readers will surely enjoy this book for repeat read after a gap of every one or two years. There have been people have read the book for the first time in the 70’s and 80’s and then re- read it in the 2000’s and went on to a complete nostalgic trip.

The book can also act as a perfect tutor for aspiring thriller writers with respect to construction of the plot, setting key plot points, the art of detailing and research and manner one can incorporate those detailing and research into the flow of the narrative.

The book had been adapted into the motion picture by the same name in the year 1973. Later on in the current time, a television series has also been made by the same for Sky and Peacock in 2024.